Searching through an op shop years ago, I found a workbook that was designed to help people pray using colour. I was going through an extremely challenging time and the concept struck a chord in me; I was already interested in art as a therapy, and I could see how colour could help focus the spirit on reflection, relaxation and letting go, among other things. The book is long gone, lost over a couple of house moves, but since then I have often turned to art therapy as a way to relax myself and take my mind off worries; for me, drawing mandalas is particularly good.

Sometimes, though, it’s nice to have the therapy without having to plan out the art and that’s where colouring books for adults make great therapy. I bought one for my mother last year and since then, these books are everywhere. Not long ago, Murdoch Books sent me…